After another hugely successful weekend at the club, we're delighted to share some more age group match reports! Ranging from our U12 Girls to our Colts, have a look below to see how our sides got on!
U12 Girls - Windsor Festival, by James Dunn
Basingstoke's U12 Girls went to Windsor this Sunday, facing Reading, Saracens Sonics and Swindon Roses in three hard fought encounters.
The team were superb in their first run out against Reading, with every single girl superb. Strong running from Evie Rees and Georgia Matthews saw the girls make great ground, alongside some big tackles from Flo Torode and Astrid Valler, playing a big part in helping 'Stoke keep a clean sheet.
Next up was Saracens Sonics! With the other team considerably taller than Basingstoke, the girls were understandably a little nervous, but normal service continued with Basingstoke's attacking rugby coming to the fore, as well as keeping another clean sheet.
Finally, the side faced Swindon Roses - 'Stoke were keen to continue their good form, as Swindon came out on top the last time the two teams met! Both teams were very competitive at the break down and some big tackles going in for both sides - Basingstoke, however, were just a little bit more clinical in the final third, coming away with another win and another clean sheet.
Player of the day goes to Astrid Valler, whose defensive contributions in all three games stood out, but congratulations to all the girls in not conceding a single try in all 3 games - what an amazing defensive effort!
U14 Boys - Basingstoke 55 Hungerford 12, by Ben Rees
U14s welcomed Hungerford RFC to Down Grange for the return fixture of the Alencon-Liqueil trophy. With Stoke being the current holders of the trophy and with home pride at stake, there was a lot to play for in this friendly/competitve fixture.
Tricky conditions saw a number of early handling errors as both sides wrestled for ascendency at the breakdown. The breakthrough came as Stoke ran a well worked penalty move and shipped the ball through hands to open the scoring with a fine try in the corner. With confidence growing and the boys adapting well to the conditions the back line was really ticking and the boys went in at half time with a three try cushion.
The second half saw Stoke keep their foot on the gas. Sustained pressure at the breakdown and some great blitz defence in the backs forced a number of turnovers that the boys converted into points. In a day where everything was ticking for Stoke Hungerford stuck at it and were well rewarded with a couple of tries of their own. A great allround performance by the home side with 7 different try scorers showing how well the boys played as a team today. A well earned win and the trophy stays with us until we meet Hungerford again next season.
U15 Boys - Petersfield 58 Basingstoke 14, by Julie Jones
Basingstoke U15 travelled to Petersfielld this Sunday, taking on the East Hampshire side in a friendly. This is a team two divisions above us and the lads gave everything in difficult conditions. The score line didn’t reflect the game with a lot of their tries coming from handling errors and every player put in maximum effort with the wind against us. Fantastic discipline, physical game played in the right spirit and lots of praise from the opposition coaches about our team mindset and attitude. Well done boys!
U16 Boys - Basingstoke 29 Hungerford 5
The U16s hosted Hungerford this Sunday, coming out on top in a 29-5 win! After what was a difficult start to the season, it has been a show of real resilience for the boys - the team have clubbed together, grown in numbers and developed week on week. Their hard work is coming to fruition, with this win the least the side deserved!
U18 Girls - Aylesbury 22 Basingstoke 62, by Simon Hall
Our U18 Girls made the long(ish) trip to Aylesbury this Sunday. 12 Girls travelled, so we borrowed 2 Aylesbury Girls both sides playing with a full pack and no 15.
Basingstoke had much of the early play but good situations were lost through knock-ons and other handling errors. Once Aylesbury got the ball they went through a large number of phases (necessitated by some very good Stoke tackling) but eventually pressure told and they scored out wide, missing the kick. A mature and insightful team talk from Captain Mia under the post told the girls they were doing all the right things it was just mistakes letting us down.
A high hanging restart followed excellent pressure led to us turning the ball over in the Aylesbury half a sustained period of pressure leading to Liv crashing over from short range Mia adding the extra’s. A well fielded kick off and searing break from Charlie got us good field position from which Willow Mia converting again. Next restart Aylesbury showed they could apply defensive pressure too and gained a turnover leading to a well taken try and this time the conversion was also good.
Undaunted, our girls ramped up the pressure with the forwards offloading in heavy traffic and making punishing carries. Before releasing the ball to a backline allowing Willow to cross the line out wide (conv missed). The ability of the forwards to put their at dangerous runners into space was telling sustained drives took us deep into Aylesbury’s half a large overlap developed on the open side which Aylesbury shifted players over to fill the holes seeing this Mia darted blind into a now open area to cross for a fourth Basingstoke score. Aylesbury showed they had danger runners of their own, quickly striking back to keep them in touch. No panic from our Girls - they went back to the power running offloading game and managed to free Willow again for her first half hat trick Mia converting again. First half ended 31 to 17.
With the second half underway, we now had the slope and the wind, and the girls took full advantage. First try going to Kristelle a fine reward for the turnovers and hard yards she’d gained in the first half. The next try went to another forward, Niamh again reward for here exception close support work all game. The next restart was excellently picked up and charged back once again pressure bought to bear on the Aylesbury line. A punishing series of short range drives were well defended by Aylesbury, before the ball was shifted wide with Mia adding forward momentum to claim her second.
Aylesbury managed a well worked try of their own, after a series of penalties where our girls keenness at the breakdown got on the wrong side of the ref. A number of Aylesbury girls had succumbed to knocks so we were down to 13 aside Mia volunteering to take a break, with Willow moving into 10 in her place. Our next try was a sublime handling/running out back to put one of the Aylesbury loanees in the corner. Kaitlyn took over kicking duties and missed the difficult conversion. With time running out, Willow decided she’d been a little too quiet in the second half a scorched through for her fourth under the posts offering Kaitlyn an easier conversion which she slotted.
Game ended Aylesbury 22 - 62 Basingstoke 10 tries and 6 conversions. A first outing this calendar year and no real signs of rustiness. Coaches very happy with the application of the Girls.
Basingstoke RFC Colts - Gosport & Fareham 13 Basingstoke 17, by Lee Cowley
Basingstoke Colts earned back-to-back wins for the first time in two years this Sunday, coming out on top in a 13-17 win away at Gosport! A notoriously difficult place to travel, the boys were superb in earning the win, showing great development after a tough first half of the season.
A couple of special mentions first. A first game and start for Jack L who was awesome - defended hard and tidied up loose balls with meters made on return also. Welcome to the team and what a way to start! George and Logan's great work in the line out after our hookers were unavailable this weekend. The defence to a player was superb - Ben at 15 had a return to form and always looked composed, while it was great to see Charlie C scorching down the wing for a score. A welcome return to Jake who kicked on from previous weeks demonstrating pace and power a well taken score, while Zac's kicking came to the fore in a great display off the tee. Charlie M was everywhere, relentlessly chopping people down and even having a cameo on the center, while Matty showing why he didn't look out of place the other week for the Under 23 side, with a storming run for his score.
Next up is a trip to table toppers Overton, with a few players which is always welcome. Well done all and thanks for the effort - great to see the enthusiasm within the squad!
